Man Cave or No?


I'm curious whether most folks have a dedicated room for their rig or have their setup in one of the main living areas of their home. Since our house is of modest proportions, with no family room, media room or finished basement, my system sits in the living room (where we actually "live"). As a result, we have tried to (have been forced to) integrate the stereo into the surroundings so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Sometimes I wish I had a dedicated room where I could go and escape the noise and distractions of "living"--a real "man cave" for my hifi and music collection. A place where I could set up the speakers optimally in the space and leave cables running here and there without concern about someone tripping (or chewing) on them. On the other hand, I wonder whether I would listen as often if I had to "go somewhere" to listen to music--it is real nice to drop right onto the living room couch and hear some tunes and sometimes my wife will join me for awhile. As long as she's not talking to me I like the company. In the "man cave" I'd be ALONE. Anyway, from the looks of some of the systems I've seen posted it looks like most audiophiles have a "special room" where they set up their rigs. Just wondering how people view the trade off between "man cave" and "system in the living area" thing.
128x128dodgealum
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I like variety. I have multiple rooms I share with family and a sound insulated "man cave" where I can set up however I please and listen in at any volume at any time.

Best of both worlds, though I wish I had a bigger cave perhaps.
I have a 2nd floor dedicated room. It's 15' x 22' with small area at the rear side open to a stair landing. The builder called it a "Bonus Room". I call it my "Stereo Room". It's one of the main reasons we bought the house. The length lets me to position the speakers 3.5" out into the room and place my recliner a few feet away from the rear wall. Structurally the room is soggy. 3/4 OSB T&G flooring sits on top of 18" tall 2x4" trusses. The walls are 2x4"s and 1/2 drywall on the interior walls. The exterior walls and ceiling have fiberglass insulation. The exterior walls have 3 coat stucco. My speakers sit on sized slabs of Granite. My Stereo room and the garage are mine, the rest of the house is my Wife's.
My main AV system is in my living room. My second system is in my office. My wife told me that as soon one of my daughters move out, I get a bedroom as my mancave. I'm already looking for husbands for them. Of course they are just 18, 17 and 14. But why wait? I wasn't that picky.
An interesting mix of responses. It seems like many folks struggle with the trade off between having a dedicated room for their rig and feeling isolated while there (from family, daylight, streetscape, whatever). Of course those of you with multiple systems, one in "the cave" and another in "the house" have the best of both worlds. Thanks to all for chiming in.